Industrial Hygiene


EPA Again Taking Comments on Perc in Drinking Water

Wednesday's notice opened a new comment period until Sept. 18 and noted EPA received 32,975 comment letters after announcing Oct. 10, 2008, a preliminary determination that perchlorate did not meet the second and third criteria for regulation. But 32,632 of those were mass-mailed opposing letters.

this is an example of a label that may be used to comply with the proposed EPA rule

Hearing on Labeling Rule Delayed to Oct. 7

Comment are now due by Nov. 4 on EPA's proposed rule, which would change the familiar NRR labels on hearing protection devices. The rule takes new technologies and Internet sales of HPDs into account.

Nursery Fined for Not Providing Its Pesticide Applicators with Safety Training

The Worker Protection Standard, part of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, contains requirements for the provision of pesticide safety training, decontamination supplies, and emergency medical assistance, as well as the notification of recent pesticide applications and the use of protective equipment.

Ohio Edison Agrees to Repower Plant with Renewable Biomass Fuel by 2012

DOJ says that once the switch is done, the R.E. Burger plant will be the largest coal-fired electric utility plant in the country to repower with renewable fuels and the first such plant at which greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced under a Clean Air Act consent decree.

this graphic from the Washington State Department of Ecology Web site depicts contamination at Hanford, including plutonium, strontium-90, and cyanide

'Landmark' Deal Puts Hanford Cleanup on Track

The settlement of Washington State's 2008 lawsuit against the Department of Energy recommits the federal government to a cleanup of groundwater and waste stored in tanks at the Hanford Site, officials said this week.

Chemical Weapons Destroyer Named One of Nation's Safest Worksites

"We run a lot of tough, dangerous operations where complicated things go on, and I know how hard it is to reach a level of excellence that you have here, to attain VPP Star status," said Stephen Kelly, Battelle senior vice president and president of Battelle National Security Global Business.

this sign indicates radioactive materials are used at the location

NRC to Webcast Meeting on Low-Level Waste Disposal Problems

The Oct. 7 public meeting will explore how hospitals, universities, and others who use radioactive materials in conducting research are affected by having limited access to low-level waste disposal facilities.

PCIH 2009 Heads to Vancouver

Industrial hygienists and environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals will gather in Vancouver, Canada, for the Professional Conference on Industrial Hygiene (PCIH), Oct. 3-6, 2009. PCIH will host more than 350 colleagues and is intended to help professionals stay abreast of current trends, find solutions to pressing issues, and network with experienced colleagues. Plus, attendees can earn up to 6 CM points.



a car repair shop was one of the places visited in HSEs hearing protection survey

Bad News for Workers in HSE Hearing Protection Field Study

The Health and Safety Laboratory study, posted today by the Health and Safety Executive, included outdoor and indoor workers, laboratory measurements of real-world attenuation, and some premises visited without warning.

NIOSH Re-Achieves 'Star' Status for Practicing What It Researches

"NIOSH continues to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the safety of the employees by maintaining an injury and illness rate 52 percent below comparable industry rates," said OSHA Charleston Area Director Jeff Funke.

workers are shown on an active oil rig

Drilling Fluids' Health Risks Explained

A new online guide from the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers' Health Committee can help to limit workers' exposures to the fluids, which can produce a variety of health effects, including contact dermatitis.

FDA, European Medicines Agency Launch Good Clinical Practices Initiative

The Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) have announced an agreement to launch a bilateral Good Clinical Practices (GCP) Initiative designed to ensure that clinical trials submitted in drug marketing applications in the United States and Europe are conducted uniformly, appropriately, and ethically.

U.S. Steel, EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Cleanup in Gary, Indiana

Representatives will discuss and answer questions about the use, operation, and air monitoring of the remediation waste disposal unit at Gary Works, one of the largest steel plants in the country.

This Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics photo shows a chemical protective garment from its ONESuit line.

How ISO 16602 Can Assist the Safety Professional

Although only introduced in 2007, ISO 16602 is already recognized and accepted internationally. It is clear that ISO 16602 will become the common global language for expressing CPC performance.

NIOSH recommends good industrial hygiene practices, including providing both PPE and hand washing facilities

Nanomaterials: The Unseen Enemies

NIOSH recommends providing both PPE and hand washing facilities in its March 2009 "Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology" guidance document.

Motel 6 Chain Operator Vows to Reduce Mercury Throughout Properties

"Our commitment to environmental awareness and the green initiatives we have implemented throughout our organization are an important part of our business model, and they contribute significantly to our success," said Oliver Poirot, CEO for Accor North America, Motel 6, and Studio 6.

this respirator was exhibited during A+A 2007

Safety's Must-See Event Returns

The 2007 installment is a tough act to follow, but A+A 2009 looks ready to defend its title Nov. 3-6, 2009, as the world's largest trade show for workplace safety and health.

Tennis Racquet Maker Fined for Toxic Chemical Reporting Violations

"This should remind others that the EPA is maintaining a close watch over chemical reporting practices and is serious about enforcing community right-to-know laws," said Nathan Lau, EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division associate director for the Pacific Southwest.

Bay Area City Fined for Not Updating Risk Management Plan

Facilities are required to update and resubmit their risk management plan at least once every five years; the plans are used by EPA to assess chemical risks to surrounding communities and to prepare for emergency responses.

CIG to Pay $1.02 Million for Clean Air Act Violations in Utah

The settlement will result in operational improvements that are expected to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants by more than 48,000 pounds per year and nitrogen oxides by 313,000 pounds per year, EPA said.

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